‘The Voice’: Let’s hear it for the girls

We’re in the final stretch — of the first stretch. The blind auditions come to an end this week.

There have been some standouts, yes. And some Houston love. Tonight, we get a few female standouts.

Jeff Lewis: “U Got it Bad” The unexpected acoustic twist on a pop tune that’s become totally expected for this show. It almost seemed like the judges weren’t going to fall for it again. Then three spins for the Dallas singer. Team Usher.

Shawna P: Look, it’s Gretchen Wilson! Except she’s wearing a beret and everyone stopped caring about Gretchen Wilson about seven years ago. I hear a little Tanya Tucker in there, which is a good thing. But I can’t imagine Shawna, who once ran with the Music Mafia, taking off commercially. Team Shakira.

Caroline Glaser: This show loves “quirky” girls with affected, coffeehouse voices. But none have won the show so far. Team Blake.

Michael Austin: Someone get this guy some shirt sleeves, stat. Ain’t nobody got time for that. I also don’t have time for his underwhelming Keith Urban tune. He’s big and burly, but the voice is mostly thin and colorless. Team Adam.

Sasha Allen: This girl can clearly sing. She takes the Dixie Chicks’ “Not Ready to Make Nice” and creates her own boil. It’s a standout moment, and all four chairs give her a spin. I’m surprised that she doesn’t go with Usher or Shakira. Team Adam.

Mary Miranda: LOVE LOVE LOVE. I not only love Mary because she did a fantastic job with Tejano queen Selena’s “Como la Flor.” I love her because she started the song with Selena’s signature delivery, and it actually felt right. She has an astonishingly rich voice for just 17 years old. What other mentor could she go with? Team Shakira.

Grace Askew: We’re on a roll, folks. Another standout female, this one working a rootsy, alt-country vibe. I love the retro touches in her image and delivery. She’s a nice shot in the arm. Team Blake.

Ryan Innes: The judges fight and fawn over a blue-eyed soul singer with a confident, commanding voice. Is he the best we’ve heard so far? Asolutely not. Some of the previous female voices are much more diverse. Team Usher.

4 Responses

My only issue with Grace: what was she doing with that guitar? Looked like she was strumming it, but her left hand was flaying around more than it was on the instrument. Can you even play a guitar one-handed?